7.3 Design of learning materials and programmes on ICT related topics

Table of Contents

1. Defining learning objectives
2. Structuring learning
   1. Learning sequence
   2. Using ICT to create learning materials
   3. Selecting and merging content from internal and external sources

Using ICT to create learning materials

Your approach to the use of software to create learning materials will be dependent on the availability of software within your own organisation. There are several courseware creation packages available, which can be used. Although they offer many features to include multimedia etc, the vital advantage is that they provide routing (branching and looping) through the material allowing learners to take their own appropriate path. They can also provide automated and recorded assessment.

One easy-to-use package is Course Genie, which lets you create course materials in Word and convert them automatically to HTML. You can download a 30-day evaluation copy from:

http://www.horizonwimba.com/products/coursegenie/

This site also offers extensive demos on the use of the software.

Other examples of content creation software include Authorware, Director and Dreamweaver (http://www.macromedia.com) and products such as Lectora (http://www.lectora.co.uk). It should be noted that these are complex products and you may require specialised training to achieve maximum benefit.

If specialised software is not available, there are other ICT routes. Word processing software such as Microsoft Word can be used to author content. Graphics, animations, videos and sound files can also be included in the document, as well as text. Animations and sound files will then operate when the document is viewed on a computer.

A more polished package can be created by using presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint. The greatest advantage is that this will create a page-based approach. Additionally a common look can be created throughout the whole package. Again, sound or still and moving visual effects can be incorporated.

You should have knowledge of how both specialised and general software can be used to create a learning package and have experience of authoring with either general or specialised software.

You can use a site like:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/%7Ejwalk001/dwresourcesweb/index.html

which has a range of practical units on making the most of Microsoft software aimed at designing simple learning episodes.

Let's have a look now at Selecting and merging content ...